Politics & Government

Mark Bonilla Trial Underway

A weekly look-in at news from around the Town of Hempstead.

The trial of Hempstead Town Clerk Mark Bonilla began Monday.

Bonilla was accused in September of attempting to obtain intimate photos of a female subordinate -- later identified at Ariel Davis -- who had filed a claim of sexual harassment against him.

At the trial on Thursday, Newsday [paid link] reported:

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

        Katherine Greco, an aide in the town clerk's office from July 2011 to August 2012, said during Bonilla's misconduct trial that Bonilla instructed her to "be flirty with people" at town events. Bonilla said there would be rewards -- and possibly a new job when he ran for Congress, which he was then planning.

In May, The Town of Hempstead Republican Committee announced this week that current town clerk Mark Bonilla will not be alongside Supervisor Kate Murray on the town’s ticket for the next election.

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bonilla is charged with official misconduct, second-degree attempted coercion and attempted petty larceny. He faces a maximum of one year in jail if convicted.

Town Announces Property Tax Payment Options

Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin is reminding taxpayers of the different payment options available as the payment deadline for the 2013 Second Half General Tax approaches. Tax payments received or postmarked by Aug. 12 will be penalty-free, as the Aug. 10 deadline falls on a Saturday.      

During peak collection times, hours of operation at the main tax office will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Aug. 1-2, 5, 6-9 and 12.

Satellite offices at Rock Hall Museum (199 Broadway in Lawrence) and Levittown Hall (201 Levittown Parkway in Hicksville) will be open to receive checks and money orders for tax payments from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 6-9 and 12.

To make a tax payment online, log onto the town’s website at www.TOH.LI and follow the "Receiver of Taxes” link to “Online Tax Payments,” or call Official Payments Corporation at 1-877-306-6056. Taxpayers may pay via credit card (a 2.5 percent convenience fee is incurred for credit card transactions) or e-check (a flat fee of $2 is incurred for electronic check payments).

Hempstead Town receives no portion of the convenience fees, which are charged by official payments, the company that processes the transactions.

The Mobile Tax Office will visit the following locations from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.:

  • Thursday, Aug. 1: Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick

  • Friday, Aug. 2: Town Parking Lot O-3, Davison Avenue, Oceanside (directly across from Oceanside Library)

  • Monday, Aug. 5: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont

  • Tuesday, Aug. 6: Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Place, Franklin Square

  • Taxpayers should bring their entire tax bill when making payments in person. Tax stubs should not be detached from the bill.

    Story published at 6 a.m. on July 14; it was edited at 11:19 a.m. on July 15.


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